Head of Access and Acquisitions

University of Leeds; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent academic institution in Leeds is seeking a Head of Access and Acquisitions to lead a dedicated team focused on ensuring the discoverability of library content for over 40,000 users. This role emphasizes innovation in service delivery and user experience, driving strategic initiatives within the Libraries to maximize the use of systems and data. The university offers a vibrant collaborative environment with numerous benefits including generous holiday, health, and wellbeing options.

Benefits

26 days holiday plus 16 bank holidays

Discounted gym membership

Access to personal development courses

On-site childcare and shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Experience working with library content and exploring new modes of service delivery.
• Ability to drive innovation in connecting users with resources.
• Keen to engage with colleagues across the sector and contribute to initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead a motivated team in ensuring content discoverability and accessibility.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the Libraries.
• Maximise the value of systems and data to improve content usability.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong IT skills

Experience leading high performing teams

Understanding of structured data

Focus on user experience

Job description

The interview will be held on Friday 13th February 2026

This role will be based on the university campus with scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a highly motivated team in ensuring the discoverability and accessibility of content for our community of over 40,000 users. With experience of working with library content you will explore new modes of service delivery and leverage partnerships to advance our approaches to connecting our users with resources. You will drive innovation to maximise the value of our systems and data to improve the visibility, discoverability and usability of our content.

Content and Discovery Services at Leeds University Libraries comprises two sections: Access and Acquisitions and Collection Development and Management. As Head of Access and Acquisitions you will lead a large team spread across three areas of activity: Acquisitions and Reading Lists; Open Educational Resources; Metadata and Discovery. As a member of the Libraries Leadership Team you will contribute to the strategic direction of the Libraries.

At the heart of our University’s strategy, “Universal Values, Global Change”, is an ambition to work collaboratively with others to ensure that the benefits of our University’s research and education contribute to a sustainable and more equitable society. This drives our approach to making content as openly available as possible and to addressing the historic biases that have occurred in our content development and management practices.

With excellent communication skills you will have experience of leading high performing teams. You will have strong IT skills, and an understanding of the value of structured data in connecting users to content. The Library is proud to hold Customer Service Excellence, and you will have a strong focus on user experience. Keen to engage with colleagues across the sector you will contribute to national and international initiatives both to inform local practice and to shape the scholarly communications landscape.

• 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
• Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
• Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
• Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.

And much more!

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa .

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Jane Saunders, Associate Director: Content and Discovery